For the second year in a row, the Red Sox of Turlock American Little League have claimed the District 73 Tournament of Champions.

Last week, the Sox — this year’s Turlock American and Turlock City champions — won four of five games in the tournament to clinch the coveted title. 

In the championship series against the Cards, the Red Sox received RBI hits from Jayden Stewart and Maddox Jardin and took advantage of multiple fielding errors to win the opening game by a 5-0 score. On the mound, Stewart tossed a complete game in which he struck out seven while only allowing two hits.

Two days later, the Cardinals handed the Red Sox (16-0) their first loss of the season in a 6-0 shutout to force a decisive third game last Thursday. There, the Red Sox scored four runs in the top of the sixth to pull away and win by a 6-5 score.

The first two runs of the rally came on an error after Ryan King grounded into a fielder's choice. The other two came across on a single by Colin Schmidt to make it a 6-4 game. The Cardinals attempted to stage a late rally in the bottom half of the inning, but came up empty in the two at-bats that followed a run-scoring error. 

"The boys never quit fighting and fought against adversity,” said head coach Tom Waterson. “This was an all-around team effort.”

The Red Sox opened the tournament with a dominant 10-0 win in four innings over Yosemite Little League’s Angels. Keeping the opposing bats quiet was the duo of Chase Waterson and King, who threw a combined no-hitter. Waterson, the starter, was perfect in 2 1/3 innings, striking out six. King struck out five while allowing just a walk. Waterson and Cru Hackett also shined at the plate, each driving in a pair of runs.

In the semifinal round, the Red Sox came from behind, winning 8-7 in walk-off fashion when Waterson scored on an error. Helping with the offense throughout the game was Marco Soria, who slapped three hits in the contest. Stewart contributed with an RBI single and a bases-loaded walk.

The Red Sox finished their year with a 17-1 record.

“This is an awesome group of boys,’ Waterson continued. “They played hard all year, set a goal of winning TOC's and made it happen. I am extremely proud of this team."